Boat hull construction



De. 15, 1953 H, C, CAREY 2,662,237

BOAT HULL CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 5, 1949 5 sheets-sheet 1 F/GJ.

l l 1 E I l 'a l'l I u l I I /ll Ik B ...n-L Inventor H erbe-rf C. Ca re 949mg,

Dec. l5, 1953 H, C, CAREY 2,662,237

BOAT HULL CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 5, 1949 K 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Dec. 15, 1953 H. c. CAREY BOAT HULL CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 3, 1949 Inenlor -Fh lli! Hefbev/TL C. Ca'r Qmw Mm n@ M/ Patented 'il l5, 'i953 srnrs orties BOAT HULL CONSTRUCTION Herbert Charles Carey, Brightiingsea, England,

assigner to Aldous Successors Limited, Brightlingsea, England, a company of Great Britain Application February 3, 1949, Serial No. 74,353

Claims priority, application Great Britain August 16, 1948 3 Claims.

longitudinal frame member being understood as including a keel and a gunwale), spaced stringers extending diagonally between and connected at their ends to the longitudinal frame members of each pair, and planking forming the skin of the hull extending between the spaced longitudinal members in a diagonal direction opposite to that of the stringers and united to the longitudinal members and the stringers.

Thus, from the point of view of structural strength, the diagonal stringers may be regarded as taking the place of one of the two oppositely laid diagonal skins of a normal hull having a double diagonal skin, but, since with the arrangement according to the present invention the planking of the skin for any section of the hull all lies in the same diagonal direction the diijculties of repair experienced when a normal oppositely laid double diagonal skin is damaged are largely eliminated.

In a hull incorporating the above feature of the present invention the skin may be either single or double and, it will be understood that in the latter case the planking of both skins in any section of the hull will extend in the same diagonal direction with the planks of one skin covering the seam joints of the other.

When the above feature according to the invention is applied to a hull, not of the hard chine type, and considering each lateral half of the hull, the keel and gunwale may constitute a pair of longitudinal frame members between which the diagonal stringers extend, but it is to be understood that additional intermediate longitudinal members may be provided and attached to the diagonal stringers where the latter cross them. Further, transverse frame members of the usual type will normally be provided, these being if desired comparatively widely spaced in View of the strength given by the intersecting diagonal stringers and planking.

When the feature according to the present invention referred to above is applied to a hull of the hard chine type, that is to say, a hull with one or more external generally longitudinal ridges resulting from interrupted curvature on each side 2 of the fore-and-aft center line of the hull, and longitudinal members (referred to as chines) adjacent such ridges. Taking each lateral half of the hull, the keel and chine may constitute one main pair of longitudinal members between which the diagonal stringers and the oppositely diagonal planking extend, while the chine and gunwale will constitute another main pair of longitudinal members between which the diagonal stringers and diagonal planking similarly extend. Here again one or more intermediate longitudinal members may be provided between one or each pair of main longitudinal members or not as found desirable in any particular instance, and spaced transverse frame members, usually of the built-up type, will normally be provided.

According to a further feature of the present invention a hull construction may comprise spaced transverse frame members built up from laminations of wood united by adhesive, the laminations being bent to shape before being united by the adhesive so as to provide frame members of the required form of considerable strength, and longitudinal members, and/or diagonal stringers as above described which pass through apertures formed in the laminated transverse frame members and are united thereto. In such an arrangement, it will be appreciated that the transverse frame members are conveniently built up so as to be comparatively deep in crosssection in order to provide ample space for the apertures while leaving sufficient material along the upper and lower edges of the frame members above and below the apertures to give adequate strength. In this connection it will be appreeiated that the strength of the transverse frame members will not be greatly reduced by the provision of such apertures, provided that the dimension of each aperture measured in the direction of the length of the frame member is not excessive, since it is the outer layers of each frame member which will take the majority of the stresses to which it is subjected.

The use of built-up laminated frame members as above referred to with apertures through which longitudinal members pass may be applied to otherwise normal hull constructions comprising simply the usual transverse frames, keel, gunwale and one or more longitudinal stringers, in which case the stringers may pass through apertures in the transverse frame members provided by omitting short lengths of one or more of the intermediate laminations, while the gunwales and/or the keel are let into the transverse members, thus providing a very strong construction.

Further when this feature is incorporated in a hull construction having diagonal stringers and oppositely diagonal planking as referred to above, the diagonal stringers may pass through apertures in the transverse frame member and the gunwales and/or keel be let into these frames.

Two examples of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the forward part of a boat hull built according to the invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation on the line 2 2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a broken transverse section on the line 3 3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail section on the line 4 4 of Figure l,

Figures 5 and 6 are similarly enlarged detail sections respectively on the lines 5 5 and 6 6 of Figures 1 and 2 respectively, and

Figure 7 is a broken-away perspective view showing a modification of the invention as applied to a hard chine hull. In the construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 the hull comprises a keel A terminating at the forward end in the stem A1, the keel and stem conveniently being formed in one piece from laminated wood which, in a manner known per se, is bent before the laminations are united by adhesive so as to provide a strong multi-ply construction.

The keel A and stem form one longitudinal frame member while other longitudinal frame members are constituted by two gunwale members B, B1 also conveniently formed of bent laminated wood. Extending diagonally between and connected at their ends to the keel A and the gunwale members B, B1 are stringers C including one Stringer, C1, which extends from a point in the keel A to a point adjacent to the upper end of the stem A1 as indicated. The ends of the stringers C, C1 which are connected to the keel A conveniently enter slots formed in the keel as indicated in dotted line at C2 in Figure 4, while the upper ends of the stringers which are connected to the gunwale members B1 enter slots in such gunwale members as indicated at C3 in Figures 1 and 2.

Also extending between the keel A and the gunwale members B, B1 are a series of frame members D similar in form to but somewhat deeper in section than those employed in normal hull construction, these frame members also being if desired formed from laminated wood. As will be seen more particularly from Figure 3, the frame members D are slotted to permit the stringers C, C1 to pass through them, and are also slotted at their upper ends where they are united to the gunwale members B1.

Covering the frame formed by the keel A, stem A1, gunwale members B, B1, stringers C, C1 and frame members D is a double diagonal skin comprising an inner skin E and an outer skin E1 each formed of planks arranged .diagonally between the keel A and gunwale members B, B1 in a 'diagonal direction opposite to that in which the stringers C extend, the arrangement being such, as indicated in the drawings, that the planks con'- stituting one skin cover the seam joints between the planks constituting the other skin. The form of the keel is such as shown in Figure 4 as to provide appropriate seatings for the lower ends of the planks constituting the skins as indicated in Fifrure 4 at E2, while the upper ends of the planks terminate flush with the upper edge of the gunwale members B, B1 as indicated in 4 Figure 6. The skins are united to the stringers C and the frames D.

Two bilge stringers F are conveniently provided in the after part of the hull, these stringers passing through slots in the appropriate frames D and being supported from the skin E, E1 between the frames by packing pieces F1 as indicated in Figure 5.

The stern of the hull, which is not shown, may be of usual transom form united to the keel and to the gunwale members by knees" or the equivalent.

It will be understood that the drawings illustrate the general construction of a hull according to the invention and that the form of such a hull may be modied according to requirements, that capping pieces will generally be applied to the gunwale members, or alternatively these will be covered by the edge of decking. Moreover, where decking is provided, this may be of different extents and forms according to requirements. For example, where decking is provided over the fore part of the hull this may if desired be raised above the level of the gunwale members B as by extending the stringers C, the frames D, the stemV A1 and the skin upwards at the forward part of the hull and supporting the decking on such raised portion.

In the modified form of hull shown in Figure 7 the invention is applied to a hull of the hard chine type comprising a keel H constituting one longitudinal member, two chine members J, J1 constituting further longitudinal members and two gunwale members K, K1 constituting still further longitudinal members.

In this construction diagonal stringers L extend between the longitudinal members constituted by the keel H and chine members J, J1 and are connected at their ends respectively to the keel and to the chine members into slots in which they preferably project so as to facilitate such connection.

Similarly diagonal stringers M, M1 extend between the longitudinal members constituted by the chine member J and the gunwale member K and between the longitudinal members constituted by the chine member J1 and the gunwale member K1, these stringers also being connected at their ends to the members between which they extend and preferably entering slots therein as indicated at K2.

Also extending between the keel H, the chine members J, J1 and the gunwale members K, K1 are frames N, only one of which is shown, these frames being slotted to receive the keel, the ychine members, the gunwale members and the stringers where these various members ltraverse them.

Covering the frame formed in the manner above described is a double skin comprising iour parts O, O1, O2, O3, two of which, O, O1, extend respectively between the keel H and the two chine members J, J1 while the other two, O2, O3, extend respectively between each 'of the chine members J, J1 and its 'adjacent gunwale member K or K1. The double skin is formed of vdiagonal planks which extend in each vcase in a diagonal direction opposite to that of the adjacent 'stringers which they cross. The planking forming the two skins is arranged so that the planks in one skin cover the seam joints between the planks in the other skin as `shown.

The formation at the bow and stern of va hull constructed as indicated Vin Figure '7 maybe in accordance with normal practice for a hull rof the hard lchine type and is not therefore illustrated since in itself it forms no part of the present invention.

It will be seen that with the present invention the diagonal stringers extending in one diagonal direction in combination with the diagonal planking extending in the other diagonal direction between the longitudinal members of the hull will provide a very strong and rigid construction without involving the building or repair dimculties associated with the construction of double skin hulls of the type in which the two skins extend diagonally in opposite directions. Thus, with the present invention if repair to the skin is required, any selected superimposed planks or lengths of plank from both skins can readily be removed and replaced whereas in the double skin construction with oppositely extending planking in the two skins, removal of any appreciable length of damaged plank from the inner skin necessitates removal of a large number of undamaged planks from the outer skin.

The invention also enables the number of frames employed to be limited as compared with normal hull constructions in view of the strength provided by the stringers and the diagonal planking in combination and may in some cases enable built-in frames to be dispensed with and the use instead of removable frames only to ensure and facilitate correct shaping of the hull during manufacture.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A boat hull construction comprising not less than three spaced longitudinal frame members, at least two series of spaced stringers, each Stringer extending diagonally between and connected at its ends to a pair of adjacent longitudinal frame members, the stringers of one series extending in the opposite direction to the stringers of another series, and planking forming the skin of the hull extending between the longitudinal members in a diagonal direction opposite to that of the stringers and united to the longitudinal members and to the stringers.

2. A boat hull construction comprising pairs oi spaced longitudinal frame members, spaced stringers extending diagonally between and connected at their ends to the longitudinal frame members of each pair, and planking forming the skin of the hull extending between the longitudinal members in a diagonal direction opposite to that of the stringers and united to the longitudinal members and to the stringers, the planking comprising two superimposed layers constituting a double skin with the planking of both layers in any section of the hull extending in the same diagonal direction with the planks of one layer covering the seam joints of the other layer.

3. A boat hull construction comprising a keel and two gunwales, spaced stringers extending diagonally between the keel and each gunwale and connected at their ends to the keel and the gunwale between which they extend, and planking forming the skin of the hull extending between the keel and each gunwale and in a diagonal direction opposite to that of the stringers, said planking connecting the keel to each gunwale and connected to the keel, the gunwales and the stringers.

HERBERT CHARLES CAREY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 85,051 Baird Dec. 22, 1868 1,301,270 Kastengren Apr. 22, 1919 1,572,976 Huene Feb. 16, 1926 1,698,304 Herreshoff Jan. 8, 1929 2,163,998 Higgins June 27, 1939 2,386,821 'I'ardii Oct. 16, 1945 2,400,771 Moxham May 21, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 458,433 Great Britain Dec. 21, 1936 324,052 France Nov. 3, 1937 

